2Lt Melvin Alderman (CP)(KIA) - Flew on all of the 1Lt Grafton N. Smith missions
except for 287, 288 & 289 when he stood down. Flew with another Pilot on 1 mission:
2Lt Hower E. Bitler, Jr. (348); Was upgraded from CoPilot to Pilot and flew on two
missions as First Pilot (349 & 353).
Was Killed in Action on mission 353, 6 April 1945, to Leipzig, Germany in B-17G
43-38958 Green Hill Belle (427BS) GN-H in a mid-air collision, shortly before reaching the
target, with B-17G 44-8647 (No name) (360BS) PU-M, 2Lt Howard C. Lacker, Pilot. The entire 17 crewmen in the two B-17s were KIA in the crash over Germany.
(MACR 13719 & 13596).

2Lt Edward W. Gardner (N)(POW) - Flew on 12 combat missions with the Lt Grafton N.
Smith Crew - 288, 289, 290, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298A, 298B, 299, 300.
F/O William F. Dohm (B)(POW) - Flew on 13 combat missions with the Lt Grafton N.
Smith Crew - (All of the 2Lt Gardner missions plus 287). On mission 300, 10 January 1945, the Lt. Grafton N. Smith Crew B-17G, 42-39875 Buzz Blonde (427BS) GN-C suffered a mid-air collision with B-17G, 42-97861 Iza Vailable II
(360BS) PU-C just after "bombs away." Both B-17s were tossed around for several
minutes before being brought under control by their Pilots and CoPilots. Lt Gardner and
F/O Dohm bailed out of their B-17 due to damage in the nose and in their belief that their
B-17 was out of control. Both became POWs (MACR 11575). 1Lt Grafton N. Smith was
able to bring his B-17 under control with oxygen system, interphones and heating
equipment out at temperatures at minus 60 degrees. A wheels up landing was made
at Airfield A-97 at Sandwiler, Luxembourg and later returned to Molesworth.
See crash photo and map here
Tail Gunner, Sgt Marion M. Mooney, on the 2Lt Roy F. Statton crew was KIA when the tail compartment was severed from his B-17 (MACR 11576). Lt Statton, and his CoPilot 2Lt
David A. Schroll, made an emergency landing at Airfield B-53 at Merville, France. Both
were awarded the DFC medal for their skill in controlling and landing their damaged B-17. S/Sgt Paul F. Gray, Togglier, flying as a substitute for Bombardier F/O William F. Dohm, was wounded on mission 306, 22 January 1944.